A facile three-step synthesis of (±)-crispine A via an acyliminium ion cyclisation

A high yielding cyclisation of the readily available N-(4,4-diethoxybutyl)-2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)acetamide to 8,9-bis(methyloxy)-2,3,6,10b-tetrahydropyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolin-5(1H)-one is described. The latter can be reduced with either AlH₃ or BH₃ to (±)-crispine A in an overall yield of 55%.     

First total synthesis of ent-gelsedine via a novel iodide-promoted allene N-acyliminium ion cyclization

The first total synthesis of the oxindole alkaloid gelsedine (1) starting from (S)-malic acid is described. The key step is a novel iodide-promoted intramolecular reaction of an allene with an N-acyliminium ion intermediate which provided in a single step the bicyclic vinyl iodide 11. Other important steps are the highly stereoselective Pd-catalyzed Heck cyclization of N-methylanilide 23a which led to the desired spiro-oxindole 24a, the fully regioselective intramolecular oxymercuration of 25a to the desired cyclic ether, and the remarkable oxindole N-demethylation of 29 via a radical mechanism by using dibenzoyl peroxide. The total synthesis was concluded by the stereoselective introduction of the ethyl group from the bis-Boc compound 41 followed by methoxylation of the oxindole nitrogen. This total synthesis leads to the unnatural (+)-enantiomer of gelsedine in 21 steps and 0.10% overall yield.     

A novel synthesis of tetrahydrofuran via alkoxy radical cyclisation

Tetrahydrofurans were synthesised via 5-exo-trig cyclisation of alkoxy radical generated by unprecedented 1,5-hydrogen shift from hydroxyl group to vinyl radical.     

Practical solid-phase parallel synthesis of Delta(5)-2-oxopiperazines via N-acyliminium ion cyclization

A practical solid-phase strategy for the synthesis of Delta(5)-2-oxopiperazines via N-acyliminium ion cyclization has been developed. A key step in the library synthesis is tandem acidolytic cleavage with subsequent in situ iminium formation, followed by stable enamide transformation. This approach is exemplified by the preparation of a 192-member pilot library using bromoacetal resins without further purification.     

A formal total synthesis of (+/-)-cephalotaxine using sequential N-acyliminium ion reactions

[reaction: see text] Novel synthesis of cephalotaxine 1 based on tertiary N-acyliminium ion chemistry starting from alkynylamide 2 was achieved. The key steps include the preparation of pyrroloisoquinoline 4 from alkynylamide 2, the ring expansion of pyrroloisoquinoline 4 to pyrrolobenzazepine 12, and the construction of cyclopentapyrrolobenzazepine ring system 6, all of which are derived from N-acyliminium ion intermediates.     

Asymmetric synthesis of 3,5-disubstituted indolizidines by intermolecular addition of an allylsilane on an N-acyliminium ion

A diastereoselective synthesis of 3,5-disubstituted indolizidines based on an intermolecular addition of an allylsilane on an acyliminium ion derived from (S)-pyroglutamic acid is described. The synthetic potential of this methodology is demonstrated by the enantioselective synthesis of (−)-indolizidine 195B, (−)-indolizidine 223AB, (+)-monomorine and (−)-3-butyl-5-propyl indolizidine.     

Silicon-assisted synthesis of bridged azabicyclic systems via N-acyliminium intermediates

Intramolecular acid-mediated reactions of 2-propynyl- and allylsilanes with five- and six-membered cyclic N-acyliminium ion precursors lead to bridged azabicyclic compounds (Table I). Neat formic acid is the reaction medium of choice in most cases. The cyclization reactions take place with complete regioselectivity. 2-Propynylsilanes are more reactive than allylsilanes. An ordinary olefin reacts poorly. The cyclization products can be useful for the synthesis of γ- and δ-amino acids and derivatives.     

Stereoselective synthesis of basiliskamides A and B via Prins cyclisation

A stereoselective and convergent approach to basiliskamides A and B is achieved through our recently developed strategy for the construction of polyketide precursors via Prins cyclisation. The approach mainly relies upon reductive opening of 1-iodomethyl cyclic ethers, Mitsunobu inversion, Takai olefination and Stille coupling along with Prins cyclisation.     

Total synthesis of (+/-)-jamtine using a thionium/N-acyliminium ion cascade

[reaction: see text] The first total synthesis of (+/-)-jamtine (4), a tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloid reputed for its therapeutic properties, is described. The key step involves a tandem thionium/N-acyliminium ion cyclization from enamido sulfoxide 13. The cascade process takes place with high diastereoselectivity and in excellent yield.     

Solid-phase synthesis of pyrroloisoquinolines via the intramolecular N-acyliminium Pictet-Spengler reaction

In the present investigation, solid-phase routes toward 1,5,6,10b-tetrahydro-2H-pyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolin-3-ones via the intramolecular N-acyliminium Pictet-Spengler reaction are established. Peptide aldehydes generated from their parent N-Boc 1,3-oxazines by acidic reaction conditions undergo intramolecular condensation reactions with the amide N of a solid-supported peptide backbone, thus forming a 1:1 epimeric mixture of a cyclic 5-hydroxylactam, which in turn is in equilibrium with the corresponding intermediate N-acyliminium ion. Provided appropriate acidic reaction conditions, a second ring may be appended via Pictet-Spengler cyclization from the aromatic ring of a neighboring phenylalanine derivative in the peptide sequence. The aromatic substitution pattern of the nucleophilic benzene ring of the phenylalanine derivative and the nature of the acidic reaction media are critically important for the course of the reaction, and both Lewis and Br?nsted acids may be employed to effect the cyclization process. This intramolecular reaction is under strict control of stereoselectivity, and only a single stereoisomer is detected in the crude products. A range of mono-, di-, and trisubstituted phenylalanines with diverse sets of electron-donating and electron-withdrawing substituents, pyrene, and naphthalenes have successfully been brought within the scope of the reaction, thus providing a unique scaffold for combinatorial library synthesis.     

Stereoselective synthesis of simplactone B via Prins cyclisation

The synthesis of simplactone B has been achieved through a series of nine steps in 85% overall yield using Prins cyclisation as the key step with high stereochemical control.     

Stereoselective synthesis of tarchonanthuslactone via the Prins cyclisation

The stereoselective total synthesis of tarchonanthuslactone, a polyketide natural product, has been achieved. The synthesis exploits the high stereochemical control in the Prins cyclisation along with ring closing metathesis (RCM) as a key step.     

Copper(I) catalysed cyclisation of unsaturated N-benzoyloxyamines: an aminohydroxylation via radicals

A new catalytic aminohydroxylation via radicals has been developed leading to cyclic aminoalcohols.     

Asymmetric synthesis of optically active vinyltetrahydrofurans via palladium-catalysed cyclisation of bis(hydroxymethyl)allylic carbonates

Optically active 3-alkyl-3-hydroxymethyl-5-vinyltetrahydrofurans were synthesised from the corresponding methyl or isobutyl carbonates of ω,ω-bis(hydroxymethyl)-α,β-unsaturated alcohols via palladium-catalysed cyclisation. The use of chiral ligands gave the corresponding tetrahydrofuran derivatives, which had er values that ranged from moderate to good.     

Asymmetric synthesis of 5-substituted pyrrolidinones via a chiral N-acyliminium equivalent

5-Substituted pyrrolidinones 5 were synthesized in good yields and with fair to good diastereoselectivities from the chiral non-racemic oxazolopyrrolidinone 4. Various nucleophiles including cuprates, silanes and phosphites were used. The chiral induction is thought to arise from a chelated N-acyliminium species.     

An efficient synthesis of the opioid analgesic (R)-phenampromide via an aziridinium ion

A simple and efficient synthesis of the opioid analgesic agent (R)-phenampromide with high enantiopurity (>99% ee) via the formation of an aziridinium ion as a key step using commercially available starting material is described.     

Palladium-catalyzed synthesis of highly substituted endocyclic enol lactones via a three-component coupling reaction in an ionic liquid

[reaction: see text] A new, efficient ionic liquid based synthetic procedure was developed for the preparation of highly substituted endocyclic enol lactones via the carbonylation coupling reactions of alkynes and 1,3-diketones in ionic liquid. The reactions proceeded in excellent regioselectivity and in reasonably good yields. The catalyst system can be recycled five times with only modest loss of its catalytic activity.     

Spiroketals: a total synthesis of (±)-talaromycin B via a stereoselective cation-olefin cyclisation step

The acid catalysed rearrangement of an acetal derived from 2-hydroxymethyl-3-butene-l-ol proceeding via an intramolecular cation-olefin cyclisation provides access to a 4-hydroxytetrahydropyran and thence to (±)-talaromycin B.     

A general synthesis of five, six and seven-membered silasultones via dehydrative cyclisation

Five, six and seven-membered silasultones can be conveniently prepared in good yield by dehydrative cyclisation of siloxane disulphonic acids. The siloxanes are prepared by protodesilylation of the corresponding phenylsilane sulphonic acids. The sulphonate group is introduced either by free-radical sulphonation of vinyl silanes, or by S_N2 sulphite displacement of a long chain alkyl chloride.